Happy Friday!

When I realized today was National Tequila Day, I figured writing this article would be easy.

Call a few Mexican restaurants.

Find the best margarita specials.

Share them with everyone.

Done.

Well...that didn't exactly happen.

I spent the afternoon calling Mexican restaurants throughout Clearwater, expecting to hear about tequila flights, margarita specials, or at least some sort of celebration.

Instead, I got a lot of...

"Wait...today is National Tequila Day?"

Seriously.

Several restaurants I spoke with didn't even realize today was National Tequila Day, and most were simply offering their regular Friday happy hour.

At one point I even expanded my search beyond Clearwater and into Safety Harbor just to see if someone, somewhere, got the memo.

Fortunately, I did find a few places that are actually celebrating, so if you're looking to raise a glass tonight, these are the ones I found.

🌵 A Quick Sip of Tequila History

Tequila isn't just another spirit.

To legally be called tequila, it must be produced in designated regions of Mexico, primarily the state of Jalisco, and it must be made from the Blue Weber agave plant.

Unlike many crops, agave takes six to ten years to mature before it's harvested. The heart of the plant, called the piña, is then cooked, fermented, distilled, and sometimes aged for years before ending up in your favorite margarita or sipping glass.

So while today's holiday may have caught a few restaurants by surprise...the tequila itself has been years in the making.

🍹 Restaurants Celebrating National Tequila Day

(Click the Map → for directions on Google Maps.)

¡Salud Clearwater!

I'll admit...this article didn't turn out the way I expected.

I thought I'd be choosing between dozens of National Tequila Day promotions.

Instead, it became a scavenger hunt.

The good news is that if you're looking to celebrate with a margarita or your favorite tequila tonight, these restaurants are making National Tequila Day a little more festive.

Have a great weekend, celebrate responsibly...

¡Salud! 🍹

After spending 23 years in broadcast television, including serving as general manager of Tampa Bay's Telemundo station, Jayme Neto is starting a very different kind of next chapter...helping the next generation of musicians find their voice.

Neto and his wife, Marina Coelho, are the new owners of School of Rock Clearwater, located on McMullen Booth Road. The school officially celebrates its grand opening this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. with a free, family-friendly event featuring live music, tours, sample lessons, hands-on instrument demonstrations, face painting, and a raffle.

For Neto, this isn't a random career change.

Originally from Brazil, he studied guitar before building a successful career in television. Music remained a constant throughout his life, and after watching his own children thrive in the School of Rock program in St. Petersburg, he and his wife decided to bring the concept to Clearwater.

The school has already enrolled 85 students, including nearly 20 adults, and offers instruction in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals. Students learn individually, rehearse as bands, and eventually perform live at local venues, combining music education with real performance experience.

Whether you're looking for music lessons for your child or you've always wanted to learn guitar yourself, Clearwater now has another option that's focused on getting students out of the practice room and onto the stage.

🎸 Grand Opening
📅 Saturday
🕐 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
📍 School of Rock Clearwater
1530 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater FL Map →

Before you load up the car, take a peek at the live beach cam to see exactly how busy it is out there. Sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to go and when to enjoy our little slice of paradise another day.

Check current water temperatures and conditions Here

Watch the live Clearwater Beach Cam Here

Our pets aren't just animals - they're family. If you've seen any of the pets below please email us at [email protected] and we will connect you directly with their families. One share could bring someone's baby home.

Zena has been missing for over 135 days from the Seville Condo area near Clearwater Costco. Her heartbroken family will not give up searching

LEARN MORE →

Leah has been missing since April 28th from the King Arthur Court in Dunedin. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

Lobo has been missing since May 11th from Gladden Park in St. Petersburg. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

River is a one-year-old male tabby (brown, white, and gray) who slipped out the front door on May 30th, and last seen near 134th Ave and Trotter Rd in Largo.

LEARN MORE →

Mama Kitty is a 15 year old black cat with with a clipped left ear that went missing on June 4th, and last seen near Druid and Belcher in Clearwater.

LEARN MORE →

🎸 Blackwater Jack Friday July 24th - FREE - 7:00 pm Whiskey Wings Countryside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Zach Seufert Firday July 24th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Steve Shabala Saturday July 25th - FREE - 12:00 pm OCC Roadhouse Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Susan Burkhart Saturday July 25th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Brother Brownlow Saturday July 25th - FREE - 7:00 pm Whiskey Wings Countryside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 The Black Keys Tuesday July 28th - 8:00 pm The BayCare Sound Clearwater, FL TICKETS & INFO→

READ MORE →

🚶Indoor Walking at the Countryside Mall: Beat the heat and rain with some indoor walking, grab a bite to eat, browse the shops, or catch a movie…all while letting the mall’s A/C do the heavy lifting. MAP →

If you must be out in nature, please don’t forget to bring water

🌳🥾 Beat the Heat: Peaceful Nature Parks Looking to escape the crowds and cool off in the shade this weekend? Tampa Bay is loaded with hidden natural gems, all free to explore:

🦅 Moccasin Lake Nature Park (Clearwater) — A peaceful 51-acre preserve with shaded oak trails, boardwalks over the lake, and a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary where you can see rescued eagles, hawks, and falcons.

⛵ Clearwater Community Sailing Center A nonprofit sailing center at 1001 Gulf Blvd offering boat rentals, sailing lessons for all ages, and Summer Camp. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm. LEARN MORE →

🏓 Pickleball Court Locations: Here is the easiest way to find Pickleball courts near you with an interactive map. LEARN MORE →

🏖️ Near the Beach

🏙️ Inland

⚠️ Trivia nights and schedules can change. We recommend confirming directly with the venue before heading out. Know of a change or a new spot? Tell Scout →

Thanks for reading My Clearwater Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone that you think would enjoy it.

Until next time,

Stan, Scoop and Scout